swollen feet & leg & leg pain

[mw11149]

diagnosed with hypo about 6 yrs ago-at first seemed like my entire body was swollen, seemed better after meds but still had some problems-past yr has been the worst-feet & legs swell and ache and can only walk short time, have been to orthopedic dr, rheumatologists, etc & have had several tests but no results just found new endo two weeks ago put me on 150 mcg levothyroxine & 25 mcg liothyroinie sod half pill twice a day-last tests 5/14/2009 T3 uptake 29 range 22-35, T4 free 1.4 range 0.8-1.8, TSH 2.47 range 0.4-4.50-will it take longer to help-this is no way to live, thank you for any info  

[goolarra]

25 mcg of liothyronine is a pretty hefty dose of T3 meds.  Your doctor should be testing free T3 along with FT4 and TSH, especially when you are on a T3 med.

You are not feeling well because your meds are not adjusted properly.  Your TSH is still quite high in the range.  Many people are not comfortable until TSH reaches the lower end of the range (currently accepted range is 0.3-3.0, you lab is using an antiquated range), or even below.  Your T4 looks good.

However, I would be reluctant to say how I thought your meds should be adjusted without seeing FT3 first.

[mw11149]

Thank you for your reply. Before this dosage I was on 175 mcg of levothyroxine-test results are from that.  Dr just kept raising dosage & I never feel good don't have any tests results showing free T3.  Have script for new blood work from this dr but my next appointment with her is not till sept-I have to get an earlier one

[goolarra]

This time, ask for FT3 in addition to FT4.  FT3 correlates with symptoms best of any of the thyroid tests followed by FT4 and TSH.  Also, since you're taking T3, it ought to be closely monitored.

T3 is approximately four times more powerful than T4.  So, when your doctor lowered your levo from 175 mcg to 150 mcg plus 25 mcg T3, it was the equivalent of raising your levo to 250 mcg.  That was a big increase.

Are any of your hypo symptoms going away?  Are you having any symptoms of overmedication (hyper)?

[mw11149]

swelling increased too much so I stopped all meds-just spoke to endo said dosage & levels is ok & doesn't think thyroid is the problem-said to try neurologist or heart dr-whick I have already gone to
I have to get back to primary
thanks for listening to me -have a great day